3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium accelerates biosecurity reform
Following the resounding success of the 2nd Australian Biosecurity Symposium in 2022, over 430 of the country’s leading innovators and influential players convened on the Gold Coast at the end of August to network, brainstorm and unite under a common purpose to accelerate biosecurity reform.
The 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium provided an opportunity to share research outcomes, explore out-of-the-box thinking and exchange knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity collective – agriculture (animals and plants), pest animals, weeds, wildlife, aquatics, humans and the environment.
This year’s Symposium theme was ‘Innovation. Inclusivity. Immersion’. Australia’s biosecurity system faces unprecedented pressure. To address this pressure, strong leadership and innovation are essential. The Symposium provides the ideal platform to explore how to transform Australia’s biosecurity systems to better protect our economy, environment and way of life.
The Symposium continues the work of the Biosecurity Collective – a shared initiative consisting of Animal Health Australia (AHA), Invasive Species Council (ISC), Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) and Plant Health Australia (PHA), to define and influence the direction of Australia’s biosecurity system towards 2030.
Keynote speakers included Adam Ferrier who provided some insight into how to get millions of Australians to live and breathe biosecurity; well-known film producer, Chadden Hunter, presented a visual adventure and look at whether the major Attenborough series can help the environment and drive behaviour change; and Dr Claire Madden, Head Vet at Sea World, presented on creating change by taking one step at a time.
The event was proudly sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, James Cook University, CEBRA, Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute, ThermoFisher Scientific, National Biosecurity Response Team (NBRT), Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Agriculture Victoria, Wildlife Health Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, and ExoFlare.
The two-day event coincided with the inaugural National Biosecurity Week that serves as an important reminder of the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting our environment, agricultural industries, food supply, communities and overall economy. The Symposium brought together key decision-makers, innovative leaders and passionate researchers from across the globe to ignite new strategies, all aimed at protecting Australia’s biosecurity future. It also included the inaugural Biosecurity Youth Summit, supported by the Queensland Government.
Key initiatives that we will progress from the Symposium include:
- advancing the Parliamentary Friends of Biosecurity
- expanding National Biosecurity Week
- enhancing youth engagement
- doubling investment in biosecurity for sustained transformation
- conducting a mid-decade checkpoint in 2025 to ensure preparedness for the 2030 biosecurity challenges
“This year’s symposium turnout was the largest to date with 430 delegates attending and listening to 128 speakers,” said Andrew Cox, CEO of the Invasive Species Council.
“Our unified mission to protect Australia from invasive species has never been clearer. This symposium proved that by joining forces, we can drive progress.”
“Our biosecurity system depends on collaboration. We all face similar challenges and share common goals, so the symposium is a great platform for us to learn from and help each other,” he said.
“Invasive species cost billions of dollars to agriculture and our economy each year but the impact to our environment is immeasurable – it’s everyone’s problem. Addressing this issue needs significant and continued collaboration between government, industry and community,” said Mr Cox.
Andreas Glanznig, CEO of Centre for Invasive Species Solutions said: “The symposium was a showcase of energy, passion and enthusiasm.”
“I am incredibly proud of yet another successful event which brought together the brightest and most passionate minds in the biosecurity space.”
“The key outcomes developed during the symposium will better define our biosecurity brand so that it’s more recognisable in this Decade of Biosecurity,” he said.
“We are stronger and more effective when collaborating. Together we can mobilise our 27 million sets of eyes by eradicating fire ants and prevent disease impacting our wildlife, livestock and crops,” said Mr Glanznig.
Dr Samatha Allan, CEO of AHA added: “I feel incredibly proud of the passion for Australia’s environment, economy and way of life that was on display throughout the symposium.”
“It is clear that our systems need to change and I am confident that with strong collaborations between like-minded organisations and government, we will be able to strengthen these for the better.”
“It was also great to see our future leaders at the inaugural Biosecurity Youth Summit that had nearly 40 high school students from around Queensland learning about the importance of a strong biosecurity system.”
“The Symposium has become the event on the biosecurity calendar and showed us just how much progress can be made with strong collaboration. Although our journey is far from over its these deliberate steps that make for a stronger biosecurity future,” said Sarah Corcoran, CEO of PHA.
“Protecting our plant industries, environment and community from the next biosecurity threat is complex and a continually evolving environment, bringing forth new and unparalleled challenges.”
“There was a definite buzz at the Symposium, with delegates expressing how energised and ready to jump into action they felt from listening to the inspiring presenters, engaging with colleagues and expanding their networks. They’re determined to harness the collective strengths of embracing all facets of biosecurity and build an even better biosecurity system that will protect Australia for many years to come,” said Ms Corcoran.
The Decade of Biosecurity members will reconvene mid next year to ensure outcomes of the symposium are on track and ready for the challenges of 2030 and beyond.
For more information, view the symposium program at biosym.com.au
More information:
https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/
www.planthealthaustralia.com.au
